--Building a New life --Tech x Reader Bad Batch

Chapter 13 -- The days just keep getting longer --

Camping out in the wilderness of Ord Mantell was actually going well, it was half way through the month and you had all settled into a rhythm. Tech and Echo had perfected the cooling system and everyone slept during the middle of the day getting up earlier and staying up late to make use of their restless energy. For the most part you actually slept on the Marauder during the day but would return to your own ship at night. You were still getting woken up by nightmares most nights and did not wish to disturbed the group with your tossing, turning and gasps.

Everyone opted for lighter clothing and less layers. Hunter continued to let you borrow his tank top, but you tried your best to avoid flustering yourself with the others who started walking around shirtless half the time. Wrecker abandoned a shirt, unless someone told him to wear one so he wouldn't get sunburned. Hunter and Tech adopted Tank tops for most of the time, and Echo waited out the heat in his blacks, then a tank top, and then gave up when he couldn't bear it.

Rations were doing well, and Hunter had even taken you on a hunting trip with Omega and Tech at one point. It was partially to practice shooting, but you managed to trap, clean and roast some delicious rock birds.

One of your early mornings was spent learning about strategy tactics with Omega, which was fun but also challenging. Omega kept giggling and looking between you and Tech, and it was driving you and your lecturing nerd teacher nuts. Tech eventually dismissed the class, but you did manage to walk away with some new knowledge.

Another day you did shooting practice with the entire group. There were a host of targets set up with varying distances and each person got a chance to shoot at each target. Hunter, and Tech were the most accurate, with Echo being a close second. Echo's challenge was partially because of using only one arm, but it was also starting to get hot by his turn. Wrecker was not a great shot, but he did manage to be very accurate when he threw rocks in anger after missing. Omega was actually a bit better than you having had more practice with her bow but you still fared pretty well and improved over the course of your practice. "I'll want to do this again" You comment, helping Hunter clean up the scrap metal targets as everyone starts to head inside.

"You did well" Hunter replied "It would benefit others to also keep practicing".

You nod in response and make your way into the ship as he puts away the stack of scrap. Echo, Wrecker and Omega have already discarded their shoes and headed into the inner area. Tech is hanging around the cockpit, and you sit down on one of the seats and take your boots off.

"Your shooting will require more improvement" Tech comments, not turning to look at you.

"Yeah. but at least I could provide cover that one time on Vuzsa" You replied. Tech wasn't wrong, but you appreciated Hunter's more encouraging words. As cute as Tech was he could be a bit too on the nose.

Tech stayed quiet after your comment, which then reminded you of a thought you had while on that mission. "Tech, I've actually got a question for you."

"And what would that be?" Tech asked, not turning around as he usually did.

You were starting to feel ignored now, but you knew it was silly to feel that way. It's not like he's purposely trying to not look at you.

You stood and explained your question "About the Vuzsa mission, back when I first met you, you said that you were not good at acrobatics..."

Tech turned and looked at you, his chocolate eyes almost stopping you in your tracks.

"But on Vuzsa you were doing plenty of acrobatics everywhere" you finished, waiting for his response.

Tech left the front of the ship and stood in front of you. The eye contact between you two felt intense, and it was making you excited but you did your best to remain calm and think of this as a normal conversation. If you weren't looking at his eye's you'd be admiring his athletic physique which would only fluster you more.